Fast-growing independent restaurant company City District Group opens the first in its new restaurant brand Picanha in Chester city centre.

The group is behind the high-quality casual dining brand Fazenda, which has become a phenomenal success in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester since it opened its first unit in Granary Wharf, Leeds in late 2010.

Picanha brings to Chester the mouth-watering South American ‘Rodizio’ style of cuisine which has made Fazenda such a big hit in the Northern cities – beautifully-cooked grilled meats served at the table without limit for a fixed price.

Picanha features a smaller, less expensive menu appealing to couples, groups and families looking for a quality, stylish and informal dining out experience.

The 6,000 sq ft unit on Newgate Street, formerly home to Zizzi’s, offers a selection of ten prime cuts of meats and a high-quality salads bar offering 10 to 15 gourmet salads, with a selection of side dishes. Picanha has 130 covers and a bar for 30 people.

Brazilian-Argentinian Tomas Maunier, a founder-director of City District Group, says: “Chester is an exciting place for eating out right now and we are glad to be joining the party. Our new investment, Picanha in Chester, is inspired by the prime lean cut of meat in Brazil.

“Brazilians pay tribute to this special cut, as it represents quality and great taste. with an outer layer of fat bringing juiciness and flavour. The picanha is just one cut of ten on offer, but it represents the real essence of who we are and where we come from, being Brazilian, unique and high quality.

“Our success with Fazenda shows us that South American flavours and atmosphere are really loved by a wide range of people in the UK, and we plan to roll out more Picanhas after Chester.”

The food and drink offer and the stylish but friendly and informal interior attracts the casual dining market that has been growing so rapidly in the UK.

Prices will be £15 for lunch menu to £25 for the full evening rodizio experience, with an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list.